Chesterfield-based Altek (www.altek-al.com), which specialises in aluminium dross and scrap processing, has been acquired by US-based Harsco Corporation in a £45 million deal.

The cost-efficient recovery of metal and other valuable materials is increasingly important to the aluminium industry. Altek’s products and technologies address this and other operating challenges.

Its latest innovation, AluSalt, offers customers a technology that converts salt slag waste into valuable products.

The firm lists many of the world’s largest multi-site aluminium manufacturers among its customers, including Hydro, Alcoa, Rio Tinto, Rusal and Real Alloy.

It has over 500 customers and exports to countries all over the world. Its top five markets are Europe, the USA, the Middle East, China and South East Asia.

Nick Grasberger, Harsco president and CEO, said: “Altek fits perfectly with our strategy of developing a premier environmental-solutions platform by acquiring technologies that expand our capabilities in managing industrial waste.

We are optimistic about its growth potential within our Metals and Minerals (M&M) business. Altek is M&M’s first acquisition in more than a decade, representing another step to accelerate our growth.”

Altek’s managing director, Alan Peel, added: “This is a very positive step forward for Altek, giving the company a strong financial owner committed to supporting its growth and innovation strategy.

“With Harsco’s extensive international presence, it will greatly enhance our ability to provide service and support to our international customer base. This will be particularly helpful as we commercialise AluSalt around the world.”